Delta County is seeking qualified applicants for the position of PARKS MANAGER.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:
- College degree in recreation and/or business management, nonprofit management or related field is preferred
- Have a valid driver's license
- Leadership experience, preferably in recreational management, business administration or related field
- An accomplished fundraiser, with proven experience successfully soliciting major grants, projects, donations and/or gifts and meeting annual fundraising goals in excess of $100,000
- Strong management skills, able to build, inspire and lead diverse teams of staff and volunteers
- Positive, collaborative leader with a can-do attitude and tolerant, friendly personality
- Resourceful individual, able to balance multiple priorities, complex situations and meet tight deadlines
- An organized, clear thinker and communicator with a passion for recreation
- An articulate and persuasive speaker and writer
- Experience working in a non-profit, volunteer-based organization is highly desirable
- An understanding of and commitment to the Delta County Parks mission
- Ability and willingness to travel, as well as to work outside the normal workday
SALARY: Starting salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. Salary & Benefit package range: $40,000 (Full benefits with medical, vision, dental, life insurance, retirement, paid holidays, vacation & sick leave). Expense reimbursement for business related expenses; County vehicle use for business related travel. Expected salary and benefit increase as this position moves from trainee Manager to full Manager position (January 1, 2024).
EMPLOYMENT POSITION SUMMARY
The Manager of the Delta County Parks is responsible for the consistent achievement of the County Parks System mission, strategies, policies, programs, business operations and financial objectives as well as its contribution to recreation locally and in the region. The Manager will be a strategic thinking entrepreneur, a leader, fundraiser, and charismatic facilitator who is able to work with public and private partners to position Delta County Parks to be a leader offering recreational activities in the South-Central Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Working with the County Board of Commissioners, County Administrator and Parks Advisory Committee, the Manager evaluates all agreements, organizational plans, programs, activities, procedures, and grants with regard to their planned purpose, sustainability, and impact on the recreational needs of the community.
RELATIONSHIPS:
Reports to: Delta County Board of Commissioners. Supervises: All Staff. Works with: Staff, volunteers, County Administrator and County Commissioners. External Stakeholders: Parks Advisory Committee, MDNR, Hannahville Indian Community, U.P. State Fair (Delta County Chamber of Commerce), Media, Vendors, Volunteers, Donors, Local Businesses, Foundations, Local recreation groups and Other Governmental Units.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
Leadership
- Develop and manage a strategic business plan that ensures the long-term financial health and sustainability of the Delta County Parks System
- Provide leadership for staff and volunteers that builds and supports a cohesive team working toward the goals of the recreational long-term plan
- Foster an environment of collaboration and community among the staff to maximize resources (human capital and financial resources) that supports achievement of recreation and business goals and provides opportunities for staff goal setting and development
- Raise community profile of Delta County Parks to support development efforts and encourage community support and use of the organization's services and the properties it manages
- Manage collaborative relationships with existing partners and initiatives while developing new strategic partnerships
- Serve as Delta County Parks spokesperson, clearly and consistently communicating and reinforcing County Parks identity
- Maintain, update and improve website and other media platforms
- Supervise staff
- Attend bi-monthly Delta County Commissioner meetings
- Attend meetings, trainings and/or conferences when needed
- Supervise all operation/management agreements
- Supervise all grant agreements with MDNR and other granting organizations, contribution agreements and other agreements with state/federal governments and all others
- Maintain and develop Parks and Recreation 5 year plan
- Oversees Parks special events
Fund Development
- Lead and manage fundraising of major partnerships, projects, programs, donations, gifts and grants to support the Delta County Parks annual operations and programs
- Innovate strategies to strengthen fund development systems; including benchmarking and accountability tracking
- Facilitate board and staff involvement in fundraising
- In collaboration with County Board, County Administrator and staff, create and build new fundraising opportunities
Management
- Hire and manage a staff of full-time and seasonal employees, camp hosts and volunteers, provide coaching and support as needed
- Oversee and operational aspects of the Delta County Parks System's facilities, budgets, work plans and programs, not limited too
- Understand and be able to navigate the county, state and federal laws governing recreational activities and campgrounds; understand the Delta County Parks relationship with other state and local governmental units, partners and the public at large
- Understand and protect the County from public-use and asset liabilities associated with day-use and campground activities (work with the County's insurance provider)
- Understand and oversee all day-use and campground rules and regulations
Other Responsibilities and Duties
The position of manager is primarily administrative with some physical duties. Some of the other responsibilities include: supervise and hire seasonal employees and camp hosts; maintain Parks records, files, data bases and reports; provide board meeting agenda items if necessary; implementation of an information and publicity program; preparation of news releases, presentations to groups, displays at fairs and community events, and on-line camping reservation system; providing information to recreational users and the general public.
Additional Responsibilities and/or Duties:
- Ability to provide quality customer service and to ensure that staff members are providing quality customer service
- Obtain campground permits
- Making sure the completion of mandatory water testing of campground is completed
- Assist with Campground inspections from EGLE, Public Health, Insurance adjusters, Boiler Inspections
- Yearly registration of seasonal campers before regular camper registration
- Camper Registration; Managing Reservation System (Campspot yearly updates and system operation)
- Overseeing maintenance and security of the campgrounds
- Creating work schedules and task sheets
- Cash Handling, tracking finances and overseeing banking transactions
- Establishing yearly budget and monitoring expenses for over-run
- Dealing with refunds
- Monitoring campgrounds for hazards and unregistered guests, including nuisance animals
- Advertising campaigns
- Greeting and interacting with guests to ensure customer satisfaction
- Event Planning (example-Spooktacular)
- Ability to work independently. Requires the ability to analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives and make sound decisions as to course of action
- Critical thinking/Problem solving skills/Possess conflict resolution skills
- Contract writing for Pavilion rentals and Seasonal Camper sites
- On-Call for staff & camp host outside of normal work hours (evenings, nights and weekends) for questions or to fill in for absentee employees
- Enforcement of Park/Campground Policies, Public Health Codes, County Road Laws, Liability Insurance Requirements, State and/or Federal Laws and Administrative Orders
Please see full job description at www.deltacountymi.gov
